Before the two of them ran off, however, they both came right up to Cleo who sat regally next to me, not having said a thing. Both squirrels chirped away at Cleo who replied a moment later.
“You are very welcome. A queen takes care of her subjects, and I will always do whatever I can to protect you. You have my blessing.”
The squirrels ran off a moment later, and I patted Cleo.
“You’re a good queen, you know,” I told her.
“I know,” Cleo replied, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Some things never changed.
Epilogue
When the three of us got to work the next morning, I was shocked to find that we weren’t alone. I opened the door to the coffee shop and found myself staring at three of the most strangely-dressed people I’d ever seen.
One was dressed in pure-white robes with curly white hair not unlike Albert Einstein’s, a round face, and huge glasses that gave him a real bug-eyed look.
Next to him was a tall black woman in jeggings – where on earth were those still popular? – and an oversized Bohemian top. The last man was dressed in slacks and a polo, but his hair was in a man bun. He was so close to almost looking completely normal. But I didn’t like the look of any of them. Why were there a bunch of older people who looked like they’d just come back from Burning Man in the middle of our locked coffee shop?
I was getting my phone out to call Ross when Kaillie grabbed my arm. “Wait,” she said. “Hello?” she asked the strangers. “Who are you?”
“Ah, Kaillie,” not-Einstein said. “I am Albert Nuvola. I am the head of the coven of Saturn in the paranormal world. This is the Chief Enforcer from our town of Palm Rings, Anita Upepo, and my assistant, Oliver Tuuli.”
My mouth dropped open. “Wait, you’re… you’re from the paranormal world.”
“We are,” Albert replied solemnly. “And you must be Eliza. We have been told about the help you gave to Kyrandir the Elf in finding the vampire who had been lurking here in the human world undetected. After doing some research, it turns out he has been in the human world for two hundred and thirty years, changing his identity as needed and using magic to appear to age as a regular human would. We do not know how many murders he has committed, but your help in uncovering his true identity has been invaluable.”
“We’re always trying to do the right thing,” Kaillie stammered. “Always. Our whole family. That’s the most important thing to all of us. We know our ancestor messed up and was banished, but we’re always striving to be better.”
“We are,” I confirmed. My heart went out to Kaillie. I couldn’t imagine how she was feeling right now. This was the chance she had to get everything she had ever wanted: the opportunity to see the paranormal world. “We knew that letting a killer go free was wrong and that being the only paranormals on the island we had to do what we could to find him.”
“And you did great work,” Anita Upepo said. Kaillie curtsied to her, and Leanne began to snicker, but I hit her arm. Ok, so Kaillie was being a bit ridiculous, but she had no idea how to act in front of the paranormals.
“Thank you,” I said. “We appreciate it.”
“You are very welcome. And now, we must be going.”
“Wait,” Kaillie said, her voice about two octaves higher than normal. “Is there a chance we can come with you? Can we come to the paranormal world? I know our family was banished, but we have changed. That was a long time ago, and we’re doing our best. I just want to see the witches and wizards that I’m related to. I want to meet them. I want to know what the paranormal world is like, and I need to know that it’s possible.”
“That… that wasn’t why we came here,” Albert replied, looking shocked. “We never intended to allow the Marcet family – or their descendants – to return to the paranormal world.”
“But, Albert, the witch has a point,” Anita said. “Their punishment was in the time of my grandmother, years and years ago. And they have done good work. They have come to our aid. Should we not consider their request?”
Oliver stayed silent, and Albert thought to himself. “There will be paperwork to fill out.”
“They found a murderous vampire in the human world for us. I think you can handle a bit more paperwork than normal. Besides, Oliver does all your paperwork anyway.”
“Please,” Kaillie begged. “I want to know where we came from.”
Albert pursed his lips. “I don’t think that’s outside the realm of possibility. You understand, I cannot reverse the banishment forever. That was done by powers higher than myself. But I should be able to allow you to visit for a few days. It will take some time, probably a few weeks, before I am able to organize it. But yes, I think we should be able to introduce you to the other witches of the coven of Saturn.”
Kaillie’s mouth opened and closed like she was in too much shock to say anything.
“Thank you,” I said for her. “We really appreciate it. Would Leanne be able to come?”
Albert looked at my cousin with pity in his expression. “Unfortunately, due to her lack of magical powers, no. It is impossible for a non-magical person to cross through the portals. It simply won’t work.”
“Oh,” Leanne said, her expression falling. “Well, I’ve spent my entire life being told I can’t do things because of my lack of magic. What’s one more disappointment to add to the list? I’m just happy if Eliza and Kaillie get to go.”
“I should be able to organize it. We will be in touch. Once again, thank you.”
And with that, the three paranormals walked right out the front door onto Main Street, leaving the three of us gaping after them.
Aunt Debbie walked in a moment later and laughed. “What’s with all of you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“We… we were just invited to visit the paranormal world,” Kaillie said.
“It’s happening,” Leanne said, taking Kaillie’s hands and dancing around the room with her. “You’re going to get to go. You’re finally going to see it. And you’re going to have to tell me everything.”
I was invited, too. I was going to go to the paranormal world. I couldn’t wait to see what it had in store for me.
Book 4: A Fairy Good Brew: Invited to the paranormal world at last, Tina and Kaillie's trip gets off on the wrong foot - literally - when they stumble on a fairy's body just after arriving in Palm Rings.
Between navigating this whole new world, meeting relatives they didn't know they had, and being accused of murder, Eliza has her hands full. And why does she keep thinking she's seeing Aunt Lucy, when that's not possible?
Click here to read A Fairy Good Brew now!
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About the Author
Samantha Silver lives in British Columbia, Canada, along with her husband and a little old doggie named Terra. She loves animals, skiing and of course, writing cozy mysteries.
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